Chapter 3. Off Vibes

3. Off Vibes

"What's going on here?" Sean and Wynter stepped back at the sound of Sabrina's voice.

Sabrina was taken aback to find an unfamiliar person in her daughter's room, especially in such an intimate setting.

"Mama Iris!" Wynter's eyes widened as she realized Sabrina had caught her in this situation. She disliked keeping secrets from Sabrina, and the way Sabrina had discovered the truth made her stomach churn.

Sabrina turned to Sean, who sported a proud expression rather than one of guilt.

"Mrs. King, I'd like to introduce myself..." Sean started, but Wynter cut him off.

"We'll talk later," Wynter signaled.

Sabrina clasped her hands and gazed at Sean with a discerning eye.

"Wynter, show him the way out, then come to our room. Your father and I would like to have a word with you," Sabrina said, heightening Wynter's worry. She had never seen her Mama Iris, so furious.

Sabrina, being a logical and supportive person who would encourage her daughter in anything, sensed something amiss with this Sean character. Concerned about her daughter and the potential exploitation of her innocence, she decided to address the situation. Normally, Sabrina would have brushed it off, but her instincts were rarely wrong, causing her unease about the entire affair.

"What's the deal with this stupid lady..." Sean was about to insult Sabrina, but Wynter wasn't having any of it.

"Watch your words, Sean; that's my mother you're talking about, and I won't stand for any disrespect towards her," Wynter warned, causing Sean to fall silent.

Sean had hoped to sow discord in the mother-daughter relationship, but his attempts were futile. He believed that by creating misunderstandings, Wynter would trust him more.

"Oh, I apologize, I was just concerned that I might have caused you trouble, so the words slipped out unintentionally," Sean explained. He pondered whether pursuing Wynter for her fame was the right choice in the present circumstances.

"I told you not to come; I was planning to talk to Mama Iris about our relationship once my exams were over," Wynter sighed. "Alright, go now; maybe we can discuss this tomorrow," Wynter said, showing him out.

"Are you in trouble because of me?" Sean asked, pausing as he was leaving.

"Not too much; my family is very supportive, and I believe they'll understand if I choose them," Wynter honestly replied.

"Alright, maybe we'll meet again tomorrow," Sean said, smiling.

Wynter nodded, closed the door, let out a deep sigh, and headed towards Travis and Sabrina's room. She was puzzled by their early return from Chicago, considering they had planned to stay longer.

"Hello, Mama Iris," she softly spoke as she knocked on their door.

"Come on in, baby," Sabrina's reassuring voice came from inside, easing Wynter's worries. Being addressed as "baby" by Sabrina gave Wynter a sense of comfort, indicating that Sabrina might not be as upset with her as she had feared.

Sabrina, a compassionate woman, believed in not harboring anger over trivial matters. She recognized Wynter's maturity and independence but was curious why Wynter hadn't spoken up earlier.

In Travis and Sabrina's room, Travis lounged on the couch, embodying his carefree nature, while Sabrina, with a hint of concern, sat beside him.

"Come, princess, take a seat with us," Travis invited Wynter to join them.

Observing the tension, Sabrina sought to lighten the mood, ensuring Wynter felt at ease and encouraged to share her thoughts.

"Curious about our swift return?" Sabrina posed a question to shift the conversation.

Wynter nodded in response.

"In reality, princess, Mama Iris couldn't bear to be away from her kids and wanted to reunite with them sooner rather than later," Travis playfully teased Sabrina.

"Nio, don't pretend you weren't equally excited," Sabrina retorted, prompting laughter from all three of them.

"Do you have anything to say to us, princess?" Travis inquired.

Wynter fidgeted with her hands, trying to gather her thoughts before speaking up.

"Yes, Daddy, but before I say anything, I need you to trust me, okay?" Wynter expressed her concern, fearing judgment from her parents.

"Absolutely, baby, we're here for you, and we won't judge. We just want you to be honest so we can support you. But tell me, is this the first time he's visited our house, or has it happened before?" Sabrina inquired, seeking more context.

"No, Mama Iris, today was the first time. I had no clue he was coming; it was a surprise. I promise I haven't been keeping secrets from you... except for one time," Wynter hesitated, reflecting on a recent event she had concealed.

"Okay, we trust you now. Please share more," Travis encouraged, sensing Wynter's hesitation. Wynter felt guilty for not being completely honest with her parents but found it hard to discuss the topic.

"I love Sean," Wynter confessed. "I met him in college, and my feelings for him grew unexpectedly strong," she explained.

Sabrina sensed something amiss and had discussed her concerns with Travis earlier. However, Travis chose to listen to Wynter's side before forming any opinions.

"Then why didn't you tell us earlier, baby?" Sabrina inquired, seeking to understand Wynter's perspective.

"I really wanted to, Mama Iris, but Sean wasn't prepared." Sabrina was taken aback by the revelation, which only added to her doubts.

Sabrina was surprised by the revelation, deepening her concerns about the situation.

"Why would this boy refuse to meet us?" Sabrina pondered, trying to understand the underlying reasons.

"And why was that?" Travis inquired, seeking clarification on Sean's reluctance.

"Maybe he felt intimidated, but we were planning to introduce him to you soon," Wynter explained, trying to ease their worries.

"Are you sure about him, dear?" Sabrina asked, wanting to ensure Wynter's happiness and safety.

"Yes, Mama Iris," Wynter affirmed confidently.

"Alright, dear, we're excited to meet him. Just be cautious," Travis advised, emphasizing the importance of being careful in relationships.

"Okay, Daddy," Wynter acknowledged, taking in her father's advice.

"Go prepare for your exams now; we don't want you stressed," Sabrina said, dismissing the conversation for the night.

"Goodnight, Mama Iris," Wynter bid her parents farewell, feeling relieved that the conversation went better than expected.

Returning to her room, Wynter decided to talk to Sean, sensing his concern for her.

As she sat on her bed, she called Sean, but he didn't pick up. Deciding to talk in person, she resolved to ask him to meet her parents, wanting to be honest with them and Sean.

Sabrina slumped beside Travis, letting out a sigh as soon as Wynter left the room.

"Are you alright, Sab?" Travis asked, concerned for his wife's well-being.

"How can I be, Nio? Do you think I'm okay after hearing all this?" Sabrina confessed, expressing her worries.

"True, Love. I'm worried about my princess too. It's all a bit messy, but we should let our daughter go and explore her life," Travis suggested, trying to find a positive perspective.

Travis was embraced by Sabrina. "You're right, Nio, but I'm concerned about my girl. My heart is uneasy about this whole situation. I'm trying to convince myself that maybe the boy was just nervous, but I had a bad feeling about him. You know how delicate our girl is; she's so innocent and angelic that I fear she might get hurt," Sabrina shared her fears with Travis, seeking comfort.

"Yes, Sabrina, you're right, but don't worry, I won't hesitate to protect our children," Travis reassured Sabrina, showing his determination to safeguard their family.

Sabrina nodded, "Yes, I trust you."

Wynter went to her college the next day and was surprised not to see Sean waiting for her. She reasoned that Sean might have some classes and would prefer not to wait for her. She checked her phone, expecting Sean to leave her a message, but there was none.

As Wynter began walking towards her classes, she noticed Sean's friends on campus. She thought about talking to them, but as she approached, she saw them laughing together, and the whole group seemed to be present.

When one of the guys noticed Wynter approaching, they all stopped laughing and turned their attention towards her.

Wynter felt a bit uneasy with all eyes on her. "Ahm... Hey, where is Sean?" Wynter inquired, trying to find out about Sean's whereabouts.

Sean's friend Shaun intervened and prevented one of the guys from speaking. "He hasn't arrived yet," Shaun responded, giving Wynter some information.

"Oh," Wynter replied, feeling a bit puzzled as she excused herself from the group. She then took out her phone and tried calling Sean, but his phone kept going to voicemail, adding to her uncertainty.

"Hey Sean, please call me as soon as you receive this message," Wynter left a voicemail and headed to her classes.

Upon finishing her classes, she eagerly waited for Sean, only to discover his absence from college that day.

When questioned by Sabrina and Travis about Sean, Wynter felt compelled to fabricate a story, claiming he was unwell.

Despite her efforts to reach him throughout the day, Sean remained unreachable. Wynter planned to confront him the following day, but he failed to appear.

Wynter grew increasingly worried as Sean's lack of response and college absence were out of character. Focused on her studies, she resolved that if he didn't show up the next day, she would visit his home.

The following day, Wynter waited patiently at college for Sean. While his phone rang when she called, indicating a positive sign, Sean still didn't pick up.

Opting to skip her lectures, Wynter decided to visit Sean instead. Just as she turned to leave, a familiar car entered the campus.

Wynter breathed a sigh of relief upon spotting Sean's car. As Sean stepped out of the car with Suzy by his side, Wynter was taken aback. While it might have seemed normal for them to be close friends, Sean's subsequent actions left her stunned.

In Wynter's presence, he kissed Suzy.

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